Hilding Anders AB creates a European bed giant!

Hilding Anders AB creates a European bed giant! One of Europe's very largest bed manufacturers, The Slumberland Group, with its registered office in Switzerland, has been acquired by Hilding Anders AB. The acquired company has factories in the U.K., the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland. Through this acquisition, Hilding Anders will not only greatly expand its geographical area of operations but also have one of Europe's strongest trademark portfolios. Names such as Bico and Pullman, for instance, are extremely strong national trademarks. As a result of this acquisition, the new Hilding Anders Group will have a turnover of approximately 3 billion Swedish kronor and will be one of the biggest manufacturers in the world, number one or two in Europe. The Group will have around 2 000 employees. The acquisition is to be viewed in the light of Hilding Anders AB's long- term strategy which includes a plan for establishment throughout Europe, a plan which is now being put into action with this acquisition. It also means that we are now acquiring increased purchasing power that will make us more competitive for the benefit of our customers and our own profitability. Bengt Adolfsson, C.E.O. at Hilding Anders AB: "We are extremely pleased that we have succeeded in acquiring certain parts of the Slumberland Group. The companies that will now be part of our Group are among the most profitable in Europe and as the Scandinavian Hilding Anders companies are also very profitable, this will make our new group a very strong entity. We also have a number of customers who are planning to expand outside Scandinavia or have already done so. We hope our new organisation will make it possible for us to develop with them." At present, Hilding Anders AB has its head office in Hästveda where eight persons work in the group management. The head office will shortly move to Helsingborg, accompanied by the whole of the group management. The main reason for the move is that company needs better communications than are available in Hästveda. Through this acquisition, the company will be engaged in manufacture in twelve countries, which will mean that there will be a significant increase in travel to and from the company. The plans for the coming years are to continue to expand both organically and by acquisitions. One or more acquisitions are to be expected in the not too distant future. Due to this acquisition, we have moreover postponed plans for listing on the stock exchange. Before we announce a new timetable, we want to have started the integration process in earnest. HILDING ANDERS AB, BOX 4, 280 23 HÄSTVEDA TELEPHONE +46 (0)451-388 900, FAX +46(0)451-388 918 REG. NO. 556546-5589 HILDING ANDERS AB For further information, please contact: Peter Sturm, information manager, Hilding Anders AB, tel +46-0451-38 89 26 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/29/20010329BIT00480/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/29/20010329BIT00480/bit0001.pdf